Ice-making machine



Nov. 20, 1951 E. c. wALsH ICE MAKING MACHINE 2 SHEETS--SHEET l Filed May 24, 1947 MOTOR "llllllllllll lll HIIIlllllllllllllllllu-n| i 3 s i i I ml Hill' El-E I '.Snuemor Edward C. WC1/5h REFRIGERATION SYSTEM Nov. 20, 1951 E. c. WALSH ICE MAKING MACHINE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed May 24. 1947 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM JNVENToR. Edward C? Walsh l l; ffff,"

Patented Nov. 20, 1951 ICE-MAKING MACHINE Edward C. Walsh, Oak Ridge, Tenn., assignor to Flaklce Corporation, Brooklyn, N.

ration of Delaware Y., a corpo- Applieation May 24, 1947, serial No. 750,296

(ci. sra-107) '5 Claims. l

IThis invention relates to improvements in machines for producing iiaked or chipped ice or flakes or other similar frozen or congealed materials of comparable consistency and other related properties.

Machines capable of effectively producing ice in this form are highly indemand due to the fact that there is a great demand for this type of ice and furthermore its manufacture in this form is considerably cheaper than to manufacture it in the form of large blocks.

My invention ls particularly an improvement in that type of fragmented ice manufacturing machine wherein the ice is frozen in the form of a film on a continuous circular surface. A primary object of my invention is to provide an improved machine having advantages in the way of compactness, positiveness of action, low power requirements, and especially in an improved device or mechanism for removing the film oi' ice from the surface to which it adheres. Achievement of the latter objective is of paramount importance in this type of machine since in the past one of the most serious diiiiculties encountered has been that of removing the ice from the surface to which it is frozen in a film. The ice adheres to the surface very tenaciously, and it is diiiicult to free it in the desired sizes and shapes without utilization of large amounts of power and without resorting to mechanisms sus- I ceptible to failure and rapid deterioration under conditions of continuous service. A particular feature of my invention lies in the simplicity of the ice removal mechanism.

AA more particular object of my invention is to provide a machine of the class described wherein the surface on which the ice film is frozen is in the form of a frustum of an inverted cone.

Another object of my invention is to provide .an ice removal mechanism associated with the device of the foregoing object wherein the ice is removed by a vertically reciprocable cutter member within the cone-shaped freezing surface.

-Another object of my invention is to provide an ice removal mechanism for use in the type of machine described comprising an articulated cutter member rotatable adjacent the ice iilm and vertically reciprocatable, the cutter member being articulated so as to be operable to exert a prying action upon the increment of the ice to be removed as the member rotates.

Another object of my invention is to provide an ice manufacturing machine of the type wherein the ice is frozen in a film on the interior surface of a cylinder having an ice removal member 2 in the form of a rotor having helical blades which is rotatable on its axis and is revolved around theiinterior of the cylinder for removing ice therefrom.

From the foregoing it will be observed that my invention involves various forms 1in all of which the ice removal action is brought about by a cutter mechanism having motion towards the surface on whichfthe ice is frozen and also along said surface. My invention contemplates and comprehends various physical forms of apparatus for bringing about the desired movements of the cutter member to cause the ice to be removed from the surface in the most effective manner.

Further objects and numerous of the advantages of my invention and additional features of novelty not referred to in the objectives above will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings of my invention wherein Fig. 1 is a cross sectional partly diagrammatic view of a preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial detail view of the ice removing cutting member.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a modified form of ice remover mechanism which my invention may utilize.

Fig. 4 is another view of wie mechanism of Fig. 3 with the parts in a slightly different position.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a small portion of the mechanism of Fig. 5.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, numeral HJ designates generally the chamber or structure within which the film of ice is caused to be frozen. The structure is in the form of a truncated cone, as shown, the taper being in a downward direction, that is, the structure having its larger end at the top. Within the chamber I0 is a double walled heat exchanger unit II having the shape just described and through which a refrigeratingmedium is circulated so as to freeze a film of ice on the inner surface of the member Il. A layer of insulation I2 is provided surrounding the member Il and extending inwardly at the bottom of member Il. A sheath of metal I3 is provided covering the exterior of the insulation and the lower end of the sheath extending below the insulation and having a bottom portion with a circular opening I4 therein through which the chipped ice. is discharged from the unit as will be described. Re-

aumen frigerating medium is circulated through the 4 A v t shown in detail in Fig. 2, and it includes an elonheat exchange member I I by means of pipes I1 and I8 which communicate with a source of refrigerated medium I9. The refrigeration is supplied by a suitable type of refrigerating system 28 which connects with the source of refrigerating medium I8 by means of pipes 2i and 22.

The chamber or unit I8 has a top plate 28 and fitting in an appropriate ring-shaped opening in member 23 in a pipe member in the form of a ring and designated 24 and having suitable openings in its lower side through which water is emitted or sprayed onto the interior surface of the inner wall of the member II near the top thereof. This ,water is free to run down on the inner side of the inner wall of member II to become frozen thereon in the form of a lm as shown. A ring-shaped trough o'r pan 25 is provided just below the insulation I2 for collecting any excess water which runs down from the interior of member II, and this water is circulated back to the spray source 24 by means of the circulating pump 28 and pipes 21 and 28. My invention provides particular means for chipping or freeing the nlm of ice from the interior of the member II- allowing it to drop down by gravity and to be discharged from the unit through the opening I4 where it may be collected in any appropriate type of container. The ice removal mechanism involves a vertical shaft or stem 38 which is vertically reciprocatable in a bearing or hub 3| at the upper part of the unit I8 and centrally located, the bearing having a sleeve 82 therein. The stem 30 has a collar or disc 33 attached thereto somewhat above the unit I8, and a coiled compression spring 34 is interposed between this collar and the top plate 23 of the unit so that the spring normally urges the stem 38 in an upward direction. Stem 88 carries the ice removal cutter member at its lower end, and it is vertically reciprocatable as. described and is also rotatable continuously in steps. The rotating mechanism comprising a pawl and ratchet mechanism involving a toothed wheel 31 on the upper end of stem 38 and a. cooperating pawl 88 which is pivoted and is normally biased by a tension spring 38. The pawl is actuated in steps, that is, intermittently so as to move the ratchet wheel 38 and stem 88 aroundstep by step by means of a cam 48 having a single dwell, the cam being driven by any suitable type of motor 4I through a gear train 42. Each time the cam 48 makes a rotation, the pawl 38 is actuated to move the ratchet wheel 31 and stem 88 one step. The reciprocator motion of the stem 38 is produced by another cam 45 having a single dwell which bears against the upper end of the stem 38, and this cam is also rotated by motor 4I through the gear train 42. Eachtime cam 45 is rotated the stem 88 is forced downwardly, and then allowed to come up again under the inuence of spring 34 as the dwell of cam 45 passes the upper end of stem 88.

At the lower end of s m 88 is carried a yoke member 48 having a-lo er leg 41 and a shorter leg 48. These legs'are cylindrical and are hollow and have within them coiled springs 48 and 58 which bear against discs 5I and 82 within the legs, these discs operating in the manner of pistons within the legs of the yoke 48. The disc 5I is attached by a stem 58 to the cutter or ice removal' member 54 and the disc 52 has a stem 85 attached to the lower part of the cutter or ice removal member 84. The ice removal member i5 gated body portion having along one edge thereof an integral relatively long knife edge portion 58 which occupies a position normal to the interior of the surface of the heat exchange member II. Integrally formed with the knife edge portion 58 and the body portion are transverse knife edges or blades 51 which are transverse to the portion 58 and which slant downwardly toward the interior surface of the heat exchange member II. The transverse blades 51 are optional, and certain phases of the invention may be practiced without them. l

In the operation of the device the position of the cams 48 and 45 is, of course synchronized so that the rotation of the stem 38 takes place when the stem is in its lifted position rather than when it is in a position wherein the cutter member 54 is in contact with the ice nlm. As the stem 88 descends, the knife blade 56 makes a longitudinal cut in the film of ice on the inner surface of member II, that is, it cuts off a strip of ice adjacent the edge of the film, and the transverse blades 514 out this strip transversely into increments. The motor provides suflicient power to force the cutter member downwardly, and, since the heat exchanger member I I is of tapering construction, the cutter member cuts into the ice nlm during the down stroke. It will be seen that the movement of the cutter member relative to the ice film involves a slicing action to thereby assist in cutting and to minimize the power required. The mounting of the cutter member, that is, the compression springs 48 and 58 provides a strain release mechanism preventing undue stress being applied to any parts of the mechanism as the ice is being stripped or chipped off. After a cutting operation, that is, after the dwell of cam 45 passes the upper end of stem 38, the stem is lifted under the influence of spring 34 and during the up stroke, the cam 48'through the pawl and ratchet mechanism rotates the stem 38 and the cutter member 54 to a new advanced position ready for another cutting operation. Thus, it is to be seen that the ice illrn is cut or stripped off in increments as the cutter mechanism revolves around the interior of the heat exchange member Il. It will be observed also that the ice removal mechanis'm is characterized by great simplicity, not involving complicated lever arrangements or involved mechanical movements. The action is direct and positive with a minimum of moving parts.

While Fig. 1 shows only a single cutter member, my invention of course contemplates that two similar cutter members might be used, preferably oppositely disposed relative vto one another, that is, apart within the heat exchange member II. My invention further contemplates various minor modifications and alternatives suchas using the motor 4I to lift the stem 38 and the cutter mechanism and allowing it to drop freely by gravity to eifect the ice stripping action. In other words, in some applications it might be found that a chopping action might be desirable, that is. allowing the cutter member to fall in a manner to strike a blow against the ice film, the impact'thereof assisting in fracturing and freeing the ice in the desired manner from the surface to-which it is bonded.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the cutter member 54, since it moves vertically. and the surface having a fllm of ice thereon tapers, that is, is on a slant, the cutter member has components of motion both normal to and along the surface. The-action is therefore such as to facilitate breaking the bond between the film of ice and the surface to which it adheres.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings, a modified form of my invention is shown wherein the ice removal mechanism is slightly different in that the cutter member is articulated. In this figure the stem carrying the cutter mechanism is designated 330, and it has an extending portion 30| to which the cutter member 354 is pivoted on a pivot 302. 'I'he cutter member has a knife edge which ordinarily occupies a position normal to the ice film, and the inner end of the cutter member has a coil spring 303 interposed between it and an abutment 304 on portion 30| of the stem 330. In operation, when the stem 330 is reciprocated, that is. during its downward stroke, the

.blade 354 is caused to cut into the ice film as in the previous embodiment of my invention. After this cut is made, the stem 330 is rotated while the mechanism is in the position of Fig. 3 so that the parts assume a position as shown in Fig. 4. Due to the cutter mechanism being articulated as described, the knee therein fiexes as shown in Fig. 4 causing the spring 303 to become compressed with the length of blade 354 being moved out of normal to the ice film. It is to be seen, therefore, that the blade 354exerts a prying action on the increment ofic' being removed, stripping it ofrirom the inner surface of the heat exchange member I I and allowing it to drop down by gravity. It is to be observed that the mechanism is able to exert a very large prying force on the increment of ice being removed with the expenditure of only a small effort by the rotating member 330. The action is positive since the increment of ice being stripped off has no alternative other than to have its bond with the inner surface of-member I I broken. In this form of the invention the operation of the cams 40 and 45 are, of course, synchronized so that the rotation of stem 330 takes place while the blade 354 is in contact with the ice film. While my invention as disclosed in the embodiments so far described involves step-by-step rotation of the ice removal mechanism. it is within the contemplation of my invention that conceivably the removal mechanism might -be continuously rotated. ,l

Referring to Fig. 5 of the drawings, there is shown another embodiment of my invention which is somewhat similar except that the unit in which the ice film is frozen is an upright cylinder rather than having a taper as in Fig. 1. The freezing chamber is designated at l5| 0. -and it has a similar heat exchanger unit 5|| therein supplied by refrigerating medium from a source 5|9 through pipes 5|1 and 5| 8. The refrigerating system supplying the refrigeration is indicated at 520 and is connected to the source 5|! by pipes 52| and 522. The unit has insulation designated at 5| 2 as in Fig. 1, and a circular trough 525 from which the excess water/may be recirculated by a circulator 526 through pipes 521 and 528. The unit has an exterior housing or sheath 5i3 which has a circular opening 54| in its lower part.

In this embodiment of 'the invention the mechanism for removing the ice from the interior surface of the member 5|| is in the form of a rotor 560 similar to a lawn mower rotor having helical blades 56| appropriately attached as in a lawn mower rotor to a central shaft 562 which ils mounted at its ends in bearings carried at the and of arms 563 land 564 attached to vertical central shaft 585. The shaft 565 is iournalled at its ends in suitable bearings as shown mountedl in the freezing chamber 5|0. The shaft 565 has a gear 566 at its lower end which meshes with a small gear forming part of a gear train 561 through which the shaft 565 is rotated by means of a motor 568. At the ends of the shaft 562 are gears 510 and 51| which mesh with fixed internal gears 512 and 513 arranged inside of the heat exchange member 5|| at its ends. Thu/ as the rotor 560 is caused to revolve bodily aro d the interior of the member 5|| due to rotation of shaft 565, the rotor 560 is caused to rotate on its axis due to the meshing of gears 510 and 51| with the fixed internal gears 512 and 513. 'I'his action is illustrated in Fig. 6 showing a portion of fixed gear 512 and gear 510. From the direction of rotation of the parts as indicated in Fig. 6, it will be observed that as the rotor 560 revolves within the member 5| I, it rotates on its axis in a direction to bring its helical blades 56| into contact with the film of ice so as to cut into and strip off increments or strips of the ice film which then drop down by gravity as in the previous embodiments.

The shaft 560 is hollow at its upper end and it has a series of small openings 515 through which fresh water is sprayed out onto the upper part of the interior surface of the member 5||, the pipe 528 communicating with the interior ofthe shaft 565 at its upper end. A suitable seal may be provided between the upper end of shaft 565 and the extremity of pipe 528.

While only a single rotor 560 is shown, it is within the contemplation of my invention that more than one rotor might be used; for example, there might be two such rotors oppositely disposed relative to. each other, that is, apart.

From the description it will be observed that the rotor blades. 56| have components of motion both normal to the surface of member 5|| and also along said surface so as to effectively cut into the ice and positively remove it from the surface, that is, to positively break the bond between the ice and the surface to which it adheres.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will observe that I have provided very advantageous mechanisms for achieving the desired purpose, that is, producing ice in the form of relatively small flakes or chips. The mechanism is arranged to positively free the ice from the adhering surface by motion both normal to and along the surface and to accomplish this using a minimum of power and in a manner to not place any parts under undue stress or subject them to such conditions of service as to cause deterioration under long and continued usage. The apparatus in all embodiments is very compact and rugged in natured and is not complicated or difficult from the standpoint offabrication or manufacture of parts. As herein-before pointed out, my invention contemplates certain modifications such as may be made by those skilled in the art and various alternatives in the way of form, arrangement, and manner of operation of parts. It is intended that all such variations and modiiications and all proper equivalents as to the individual parts and combinations thereof shall fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto which are intended to particularly point out the nature of the invention and the exact manner of compounding, producing, and using -the same.

7 -I claim:

1. In ice making apparatus, the combination of, means forming a freezing surface which is a frustum of a cone, liquid-supply means to supply liquid to said surface whereby a thin layer of ice is formed thereon, means to remove the ice comprising an elongated cutter positioned parallel to said surface and substantially transversely of the edges thereof, and means to move said cutter toward said surface by a movement which is substantially parallel to the axis of said cone, comprising a cam and spring operating assembly including a slidable shaft, a spring urging said shaft axially in onedirection and a `cam urging said shaft in the opposite direction.

2. In ice making apparatus, the combination of, means forming a freezing surface which is a fnustum of a cone, liquid-supply means to supply li uid to said surface whereby a thin layer of ice is ormed thereon, means to remove the ice compr ing an elongated cutter positioned parallel to said surface and substantially transversely of the edges thereof, means to move said cutter toward said surface by a movement which is substantially parallel to the axis of said cone, mountingr means for said cutter comprising a, slidable shaft having bracket means atpone end thereof, means attaching said cutter to said bracket means including a leg having an enlarged end portion and a cylindrical member surrounding said end portion, and a spring urging saidenlarged portion toward one end of said cylindrical portion.

3. In ice making apparatus, the combination of. means forming a freezing surface which is a frustum of a cone, liquid-supply means to supply liquid to said surface whereby a thin layer of ice is formed thereon, means to remove the ice comprising an elongated cutter positioned parallel to said surface and substantially transversely of the edges thereof, a blade extending lengthwise of said cutter and a plurality of transverse blades extending transversely thereof adapted to cut the ice into a plurality f separate pieces.

4. In ice making apparatus, the combination of, means forming a freezing surface which is a frustum of a cone, liquid-supply means to supply liquid to said surface whereby a thin layer of ice is formed thereon, means to remove the ice comprising an elongated cutter positioned parallel to said surface and substantially transversely of the edges thereof having a blade extending lengthwise of said cutter and a plurality of transverse blades extending transversely thereof adapted to cut the ice into a plurality of separate pieces, and means to move said cutter toward said surface by movement which is substantially parallel to the axis of said cone, comprising a cam and spring operating assembly including a slidable shaft, a spring urging said shaft axially upward and a cam urging said shaft downward.

5. An ice making apparatus, the combination of, means forming a freezing surface which is a frustum of a cone, liquid supply means supplying an annular spray header to supply liquid to said surface whereby a thin layer of ice is formed thereon, means to remove the ice comprising lan elongated cutter positioned parallel to said surface and substantially transversely of the edges thereof, a blade extending lengthwise of said cutter and a plurality of transverse blades extending transversely thereof adapted to cut the-ice into a plurality of separate pieces, means to move said cutter toward said surface by.a movement which is substantially parallel to the axis of said cone, mounting `means for said cutter comprising a slidable shaft having a bracket means at one end thereof, means attaching said cutter to said bracket means, means attaching said cutter to said bracket means including a leg having an enlarged end portion and a cylindrical member surrounding said end portion. a

springy urging said enlarged portion upward and' a cam urging said enlarged portion downward.

EDWARD C. WALSH...

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowlng references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

